Border Patrol agents seize nearly 624 pounds of marijuana near Donna

by CBS 4 News

In this Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016, photo, a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent works with a suspected immigrant entering the country illegally along the Rio Grande in Hidalgo, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

At about 7:30 a.m. Thursday, agents responded to the American Farms compound to investigate information about potential drug trafficking and human smuggling nearby, according to the criminal complaint.

Agents approached a white Ford F-250 flatbed truck and found 16 bundles of marijuana. They also arrested Consepcion Rafael Zamora, who they found in the nearby brush.

"While Agents were gathering ZAMORA's biographical information, ZAMORA stated he was the driver of the vehicle," according to the criminal complaint. "Agents also discovered a letter addressed to ZAMORA on the floorboard of the vehicle."

Border Patrol contacted the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which sent agents to interview Zamora.

During the interview, Zamora said he agreed to transport people for someone he knew only as "Senora," according to the criminal complaint. Zamora said he didn't know he'd be smuggling drugs.

Agents asked to search Zamora's phone.

According to the criminal complaint:

A consent search of ZAMORA'S cell phone showed that February 7, 2017, at approximately 9:52 A.M., ZAMORA had texted SENORA in Spanish, and stated, 'amiga yo levanto la mota.' This statement translates to English as, 'Friend, I'll pick up the weed.' This text confirms that ZAMORA did know that he would be transporting marijuana, and that he was providing conflicting statements to Agents.

Zamora is charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Dorina Ramos ordered Zamora held until a detention hearing on Feb 15.

Court records don't list an attorney for Zamora, who remains in federal custody.